Trend estimates indicate that total new motor vehicle sales have been falling at an increasing rate since September 2002. December 2002 recorded a decrease of 1.5% compared with the previous month. Decreases were recorded for both passenger vehicle sales (1.0%) and other vehicle sales (2.7%).

The Northern Territory was the only state or territory to record an increase (0.7%) in trend estimates of total new motor vehicle sales for December 2002. Queensland recorded the largest decrease (2.3%).

The seasonally adjusted estimate of total new motor vehicle sales fell by 9.0% in December 2002 compared with November 2002. Decreases were recorded for passenger vehicle sales (7.9%) and other vehicle sales (11.2%).

Sales of New Motor Vehicles, December 2002

NSW

Vic.

Qld

SA

WA

Tas.

NT

ACT

Aust.

Vehicle Sales

Seasonally Adjusted

20,809

17,721

11,628

4,138

5,564

1,080

611

1,097

62,648

Trend

22,390

18,716

12,723

4,327

5,986

1,188

606

1,126

67,062

Percentage change from previous month

Seasonally Adjusted

-10.0

-7.9

-9.5

-6.5

-10.1

-16.2

-1.0

-1.9

-9.0

Trend

-1.9

-0.8

-2.3

-1.1

-1.4

-1.8

0.7

-1.9

-1.5

Percentage change from previous year

Seasonally Adjusted

-7.8

-4.0

1.1

0.4

-16.3

-14.8

-0.3

7.3

-5.3

Trend

-5.1

1.2

4.0

2.9

-1.1

-6.9

-4.6

-3.3

-0.9

This publication draws on new motor vehicle sales data provided by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI).

Media please note:

Further details are contained in Sales of New Motor Vehicles, Electronic Publication, (cat. no. 9314.0) available on the this web site.